First Posted: 6/24/2014
The Waverly Township Supervisors were cemented into history with the finalization of their new Wastewater Treatment facility on June 20.
The first of its kind in the county, ground broke for the new system in September 2013 and as of June 2014, the township’s new Amphidrome ® Coldnite ™ Treatment system is fully functioning.
Las week’s ribbon-cutting ceremony included guests from Milnes Engineering, J.R. Mahoney, and Quandel Construction, as well as Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich.
“This specific Amphidrome® system is designed out of J.R. Mahoney & Associates out of Boston and we’ve been working very closely with them,” Supervisor Dr. Douglas Klamp said.
With the help of a loan from Wayne Bank and Rep. Kavulich contributing a grant of $1 million from the state to help with construction, the township was able to build their facility.
“We were very appreciative for that grant,” Klamp said.
Attending the event as a guest speaker was CEO and owner of Milnes Engineering & Construction Co., Tom Milnes.
“I’d like to thank the Supervisors and Tommy James for forward thinking, this is the first Coldnite™ system, meaning this is all underground to preserve heat and allow the system to function during the very cold weather, during January and February, and frequently that’s where we were outside the effluent limits,” he said.
Before deciding on the Amphidrome® facility the Supervisors researched all other avenues including Bio Blocks and an activated sludge plant which would have been expensive and unattractive.
“I can’t give the Supervisors enough credit, and they really, really did look into alternative methods and challenged us with alternative methods,” Township engineer, Ned Slocum said. “This type of treatment system is a lagoon system, there’s not many of these throughout the state. What you typically see are small, confined areas, mechanical treatment systems that consume a lot of energy and take a lot of effort. This is a very easy system to operate, very economical to operate. ”
“I remember a few years back coming here and looking at this project for the first time and just marveling at what the potential was and now here this is the first of its kind in the country and Waverly is at the forefront,” Rep. Kavulich said.
After the presentation, guests were encouraged to take pictures, tour the new facility, and ask questions.
“It’s terrific! It’ll put us right in compliance with DEP and EPA,” former Waverly township Supervisor, Al Rice said.
“We’re very glad to be a part of this, and to be the first in the country; I was surprised when I heard that,” said David Tressler from Quandel construction. “Waverly Pennsylvania has made the world map!”